The 92 Premier League and Football League sides in England, along with the 42 sides in the Scottish leagues, will be sent rainbow laces for their football boots in which to wear in the coming weekend of games, reports
BBC Sport. It's an attempt to raise awareness, as gay rights charity Stonewall want focus on altering perceptions rather than encouraging every gay player to publicly reveal their homosexuality. This comes as reports have revealed there are no openly gay footballers in the English and Scottish professional leagues as many fear a backlash should they reveal their true self.
'It's time for football clubs and players to step up and make a visible stand against homophobia in our national game. By wearing rainbow laces players will send a message of support to gay players and can begin to drag football into the 21st century.' - Stonewall deputy chief executive Laura Doughty.
The laces are a symbolic gesture that football is united against homophobia in football. Staggeringly, only three footballers have publicly revealed their homosexuality - the late Justin Fashanu in 1990, Anton Hysen in 2011, and Robbie Rogers this year. It highlights a need for change with how homosexuality is viewed in football, and how everybody needs to stand together in the fight against homophobia.